Preview: St. James's Gate

MK Dons return to action this evening when they take on Irish side St. James’s Gate in their pre-season opener.

In the first of three Dublin-based matches, Karl Robinson’s men will travel to the Iveagh Grounds to take on a side who currently compete in the Leinster Senior League - kick-off is at 7.45pm.

THE OPPOSITION
St. James's Gate are based in Crumlin, a suburb of Dublin, and were formerly the team of the local brewery which is the home of Guinness.

The Gate, two-time winners of the League of Ireland and the FAI Cup, are currently waiting the start of their Leinster Senior League season, where they'll be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2015/16 campaign which saw them finish bottom of their division.

TEAM NEWS
The Dons squad will be split in two for tonight's match, with both groups playing 45 minutes each.

All the players who have traveled to Dublin are expected to feature, with the exception of David Martin and Dean Bowditch, who are being rested after picking up minor knocks in training.

Youngsters David Kasumu, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Hugo Logan and Sam Nombe fly out to Ireland this afternoon and are expected to play in the game as well.

FIGHTING TALK
Karl Robinson: "These games in Ireland are an extension of our training programme - although they are classed as matches, we see them as intense training sessions.

"The players haven't stood on a football pitch with a kit on for a long time and so these games get them used to that again, which is important."

STAY IN TOUCH
Entry at the Iveagh Grounds is priced at €5 adults and €3 children.

For those at home, live updates will be provided on Twitter - @MKDonsFC - while a full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com after the final whistle. Reaction, highlights and photos will follow on Tuesday.